Malika Andrews opens up on mental health struggles and her upbringing

Many NBA fans may know Malika Andrews for her work as a reporter covering the biggest stories in basketball. Andrews joined ESPN in 2018; however, it was her work during the infamous NBA bubble that saw her earn widespread attention from NBA fans. What many fans never knew until now is that — like so many others — Andrews has struggled with mental health.

In a recent tell-all with People magazine, she revealed that her struggles with mental health go back to adolescence. As a kid, Malika Andrews dealt with depression, anxiety and eating disorders that began to spiral out of control.

As she explained, at the age of 12 she developed an eating disorder, with her family then seeking help for depression. Things continued to spiral in 2009, with Andrews coming clean to her mom about having thoughts of self-harm. In response, her family sought help from professionals.

Over the next three years, Malika Andrews went through several different treatment programs to address what she calls “a shape-shifting monster.”

“[It’s a] shape-shifting monster. We talk about depression and recovery as a ‘before and after,’ something you overcome. My experience is it’s something you contend with every single day.”

“Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, anger — they are shapeshifters that can grip and control you, and just when you feel like you have a handle on one piece, another juts out to slice into your progress.”

How Malika Andrews found purpose in journalism and horseback riding

As Malika Andrews revealed, to help her get through her depression, anxiety and eating disorder, her parents sent her to a controversial therapy program. Based in Utah, the now-defunct Wingate Wilderness sent Andrews into the desert with other troubled teens.

The program put her through a survival course that included 11 weeks in the desert. Despite the experience, her problems persisted. She then went to another treatment center in Utah for several years with strict rules and regulations.

Despite her hardships while pursuing treatment, Malika Andrews found joy in horse riding lessons. She explained to People that through her newfound hobby, she grew fond of a horse named Dante:

“I started working with him and I fell in love. Suddenly I had something to pour joy into.”

Then, in 2012 after returning home to her family at age 18, Andrews began studying journalism at the University of Portland. Although she had to continue to fight mental health struggles along the way, her work as a journalism student gave her structure and purpose.

“Writing and sharing other people’s stories is something I found a lot of purpose in when I went to college,” she said.

Now, Andrews is in a much better place, and although she explained that depression isn’t something that goes away entirely, she has continued to triumph in her battle with her family by her side.